Christmas dinner distribution goes smoothly at Yolo County Food Bank

Rain gave way to sunny skies as more than 700 families came to the Yolo County Food Bank to pick up the makings of a Christmas dinner.

In contrast to Thanksgiving - when high winds and rain made the food distribution miserable for all - Saturday's food distribution went like clockwork.

There were plenty of volunteers and coordination kept the line of motorists steadily moving.

The event was not without hardship for some, however, Food Bank board member Terry LaBriola arrived late and apologized for her tardiness saying that someone had broken into her Sacramento home earlier in the morning making off with all the family's Christmas presents.

Police were called but there wasn't much they could do, she explained, as LaBriola made her way to help direct traffic.

The Food Bank's distribution center, located in Woodland's industrial area on Fortna Avenue, annually distributes the makings for Thanksgiving and Christmas meals to thousands in need.

People receiving food drive up to the warehouse and stop at one of four staging areas where volunteers from the Food Bank, Target stores or elsewhere, provide a turkey, non-perishable ingredients along with fresh vegetables, rice and a dessert.

Volunteers from Target also brought some of their families to help out such as Nicole Risch, 7, of Davis, who was assisting her mother.

Other family groups volunteered as well to help hand out packages, such as members of the Patterson and Rodegerdts families.

Melissa Patterson, who has volunteered in the past, said this year their "blended" family of six came out to be of service.

She said it was their way of helping the community at large.

The Food Bank serves people in Woodland, Knights Landing, Esparto, Winters and West Sacramento. The food is donated by local grocers as well as purchased with grant funds from numerous sources, notably the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation Community Fund.

This year, the Food Bank anticipated assisting about 3,000 families for Thanksgiving and Christmas. In 2011, about 2,000 families were distributed between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

This year as well, the Food Bank was greatly assisted by a major donation of rice, some 160,000 pounds, from the Conaway Ranch Preservation Group.

Food Bank Executive Director Kevin Sanchez and organization spokeswoman Sean Kramer previously credited the organization of the distribution to effective advance planning as well as an abundance of volunteers.

The clearing weather also helped, making it easier for drivers as well as providing the food.